§ Mr. AingerTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the maximum financial benefit available to claimants or families in receipt of income support in(a) 1979, (b) 1985 and (c) 1990; and when it was last uprated. [3096]
§ Mr. Roger EvansIt is not possible to give figures in answer as income support, and supplementary benefit before it, is made up of different elements paid to people according to their circumstances. There is no single maximum amount available to claimants.
The amount of supplementary benefit and income support available has always varied according to the age and the size of the claimant's family as well as any other commitments such as a rent or mortgage liability. In addition, supplementary benefit included exceptional circumstances additions, further reflecting individual household variations. Income support was last uprated in April 1995.